Tag Archives: terrorism

Osama bin Laden released a tape today claiming responsibility for the failed underwear bomber. The one-minute message was explicit in its threat of new attacks. Like the airline plot, bin Laden said they would come in response to America’s support for Israel. “God willing, our raids on you will continue as long as your support for the Israelis continues,” bin …

When the FBI passed around their “computer-aged” photo of Osama Bin Laden a few days ago, a Spanish politician recognized Osama’s hairstyle. Gaspar Llamazares said he would no longer feel safe travelling to the US after his hair and parts of his face appeared on a most-wanted poster. He said the use of a real person for the mocked-up image …

Liz Cheney is keeping America safe. With lies! Via Think Progress: Of course, while Obama wasn’t speaking publicly about the terrorist incident, he was directing an immediate federal response. Moreover, as Huffington Post’s Sam Stein documented, President Bush didn’t utter a single word about shoe bomber Richard Reid’s terrorist attack for six days, whereupon he simply said that he was …

“If I were going to make up an alias, I wouldn’t pick Rosenberg. I’d pick Jolie or Pitt…Do terrorists wear Manolo Blahniks? I can tell you Donna Karan does not make anything that hides a bomb…I tried the tears; they didn’t work. I tried reasoning. I couldn’t bribe because I didn’t have any money. I said ‘I’m going to have …

As the GOP and Dick Cheney rail against Obama over the Underwear Bomber, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) points out Dubya’s failings on 9/11.

“I am sick and tired of the former vice president of the United States taking shots not only at this administration, for problems he was largely and personally responsible for, but by an extension at those of us who served in the military and bring that experience. This man suffers from a horrible case of political Tourette’s, and it’s about …

Today the president addressed the failed attempt to bring down Northwest 253. Calls for the resignation of Homeland Security director Janet Napolitano are increasing, but President Obama focused on the reviewing of no-fly watch lists and the pre-boarding screening process.

Gawker and Towleroad have posted this transcription of new pre-flight security rules which were announced on a JetBlue flight from San Juan to NYC yesterday. Among the rules: no in-flight TV, no items in your lap for the last hour, no trips to the restroom during the last hour. However, I flew JetBlue from Orlando to NYC yesterday afternoon and …

Is that what’s next at airport security checkpoints? During 19 hours of travel, aboard two flights across three continents, law enforcement officials said, Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab bided his time. Then, just as Northwest Flight 253 finally began its final approach to Detroit around noon on Friday, he tried to ignite the incendiary powder mixture he had taped to his leg, …

Remember the guy who tried to light a bomb in his shoe? And now we have to take our shoes off at the airport? Remember the guy who tried to sneak in liquid explosives? And now we can’t bring shampoo on board? What do you think the TSA will do about the ass-bombers? Richard Scneier: Nobody tell the TSA, but …

The annual United Nations General Assembly begins today and NYC is under a tight security lockdown. Midtown subway stations are swarming with cops and ominous men in dark suits. Many East Side streets are closed. Heightening tensions is this: Investigators overheard conversations that indicated an attack might be carried out on New York’s subways in a style similar to the …

(This story makes its fifth and final annual appearance on JMG. I just wanted to run it once under a president other than Dubya.) Manhattan, September 11th, 2001 That day, I got to my office on 42nd Street at about 8:55am. About ten minutes later, I got a call from Thomas in Orlando. “Honey, you should look out your window …

Now let’s do a fly-by of the White House!

Former director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge admits in his new book that he was pressured into faking terror alerts in order to help George W. Bush win reelection. Dave Weigel, writing for the Washington Independent, notes that in the past, Ridge has denied manipulating security information for political reasons. In 2004, for example, he said, “We don’t do politics …

In a humanitarian move, the UK has released the terminally ill man believed to have placed the bomb on Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing 270. The White House, which has urged Britain to keep al Megrahi behind bars, said it “deeply regrets” the decision. Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill told a news conference …

Dr. Jeff sends us this photo of passengers forced out of LaGuardia’s main terminal this morning due to an “emotionally disturbed” man who brought in a fake bomb. The terminal was closed for 3 1/2 hours and the connections ripple effect could last all day around the country.